The Election Commission of Pakistan on Friday rejected Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s request for re-polling in entire NA-250 constituency of Karachi.
After a hearing on Friday, the Election Commission issued directives to the Sindh chief secretary and IGP to ensure proper security on the day of election for 43 selected polling stations of the constituency.
The commission also directed the deployment of army personnel inside polling booths.
Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), MQM and other parties appeared before the commission and presented their point view on the issue.
The case was heard by Chief Election Commissioner Justice (r) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim. Commission members, including Sindh Justice (r) Muhammad Roshan, Punjab Justice (r) Riaz Kiyani and member Balochistan Justice (r) Fazalur Rehman were also present.
Talking to reporters later, MQM leader Farooq Sattar said the decision to hold re-polling at 43 polling stations would be unjust.
“We demand re-election be held in NA-250 constituency, not only at selected polling stations.”
He said the turnout in rest of the polling stations in NA-250 was around 30 percent, which was very low.
According to Sattar, the remaining 142 polling stations of NA-250 experienced the same disorganisation and chaos the 43 selected stations faced. “Ballot boxes did not reach on time and in some cases, they never reached at all.”
He said it would be unfair to deny the same right of re-polling to all voters in the constituency.
“It’s not about us, it’s about the disenfranchisement of voters”, he added.
Meanwhile PTI’s Arif Alvi asked for re-polling across Karachi.
According to Alvi, polling conducted in the city of Karachi was not free and fair and referred to video evidence of rigging aired on various television channels.
“Our stance is that, free and fair elections are key to the success of Pakistan,” he added.
